Mistrust At Capitol Imperils Budget Fixes

The legislature can usually exhale when it passes a budget. It's primary job is done, though some cleanup tasks remain. In most years, the governor signs the budget and all that's left is to pay for what's spent.

This year's state budget process is starkly different than most of those that preceded it. The Democrats control the governor's office and both chambers of the General Assembly. That should make the process easier, especially considering that four years ago the largest tax increase in state history sent money pouring into state coffers.

A taste for more, more, more put the legislature's Democratic leaders and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy at odds through much of the legislative session that concluded early this month. Leaders found enough votes in the House and Senate to eke out a victory for their spending plan, which imposes another hefty tax increase on the state.

This year's budget and the tax increases imposed to fund it ignited a fierce reaction. Businesses are threatening to leave Connecticut for more hospitable states. People working in the private sector and sensible public employees know this is trouble.

Some legislators may be getting the message, too. The budget passed in the House on the last day of the legislative session by just three votes. Five Republicans and three Democrats were absent. Additional work needs to be done. The legislature will meet Monday and Tuesday to consider budget implementers. Those are bills that add important details to the broad $40 billion, two-year spending plan.

Malloy has asked the legislature to reduce some of the tax cuts it adopted and also give the governor authority to make cuts up to 1.5 percent of the budget. The legislature would have no authority to restrain Malloy on where he cuts. The mistrust pervading the Capitol makes the legislature wary of giving Malloy unrestrained power.

This could be a moment. Some House Democrats who voted for the budget are feeling the wrath of discontented, anxious constituents. Even routine votes on implementing legislation is making them wary. A growing number of House Democrats are grinding their teeth over what expensive goodies wily colleagues extracted from the leaders in exchange for a vote in favor of the budget. Some of those valuable prizes will be unveiled in the details of the budget implementers to an eager audience with many questions. This will add to the bad feelings that are making the passage of routine bills a challenge.

The Republicans will be united in trying to find ways to throw a spanner in the works whenever they see an opportunity. The challenge will be finding those moments and securing the votes of disaffected, nervous Democrats. This is the time to make the point to those Democrats that it is not enough to have voted against the budget that passed. That is a half-measure. They need to join with the Republicans to adopt a plan that stops chasing innovation and enterprise out of Connecticut.

There are some places to make changes. Legislators could send a powerful message to the mouthy new head of the troubled and secretive Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, Joe DeLong. He's the former West Virginia Democratic legislator who thinks the best way to advance a cause is to hurl some insults at legislative leaders.

DeLong, according to one report, thinks Republicans who oppose tax increases shouldn't be at the negotiating table. If you're against tax increases, you must be "boring" and "unproductive." DeLong belittled Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, for supporting a proposal to expand workers' compensation coverage for some police and firefighters.

There's plenty of new municipal money in the budget that goes to a handful of towns. Taking it back would help lower some taxes. After all, DeLong was a legislative leader in West Virginia. In 2013, according to Governing magazine, when West Virginia was spending $11,132 per pupil, Connecticut spent $16,631 per student.

DeLong might want to take that talk of tax increases and spending back home and tell the natives there how inadequate their efforts are. We are doing plenty in Connecticut. Whatever our troubles, their solutions won't be found in a loudmouth from West Virginia.

Kevin Rennie is a lawyer and a former Republican state legislator. He can be reached at kfrennie@yahoo.com.